Toxic species and their toxins found in Irish waters

Although the majority of phytoplankton are harmless to humans, some contain toxins that can cause illness and even death in extreme cases through the consumption of contaminated shellfish.

In Ireland shellfish poisoning is presently a year round occurrence with most closures being attributed to Dinophysis species. However other toxic species that are problematic to the Irish aquaculture industry are Pseudo-nitzschia, Alexandrium and Protoperidinium species.